Toothbrush with multiple brushing surfaces

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush head and a method for brushing teeth. The toothbrush head includes a first brushing portion, and a second brushing portion. A first orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one upper tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one lower tooth. A second orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one lower tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one upper tooth. The method includes steps as follows: a) contacting, with a toothbrush head, an inside of at least one upper tooth concurrently with an outside of at least one lower tooth; and b) contacting, with the toothbrush head, an inside of at least one lower tooth concurrently an outside of at least one upper tooth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/762,441, filed May 7, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to oral hygiene, and more specifically to toothbrushes, e.g., toothbrushes designed to allow a provider to brush the teeth of a subject.

BACKGROUND

Conventional toothbrushes are generally designed for self-brushing of teeth. As such, conventional toothbrushes include, typically, a single brushing surface with bristles, and a handle that is sized and configured to facilitate individuals performing the activity of tooth brushing of their own teeth, when holding the toothbrush by a handle. Conventionally, toothbrushes have a single brushing surface and bristles that are approximately perpendicular to the long axis of the handle, and makes full contact with only one surface of the teeth at a time. For example, a conventional toothbrush may be used to first brush the inner surface of the lower teeth, then turned 180 degrees to brush the inner surface of the upper teeth. In addition, a conventional toothbrush must be fully repositioned from within or outside the mouth during usage.

Some toothbrushes do include multiple brushing surfaces. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,607A to Wagner discloses a toothbrush that includes three brushing surfaces that are angled together to form a concavity that may contact the inner, outer and brushing surfaces of a single tooth simultaneously. However, Wagner did not contemplate the notion that a provider would use a toothbrush to brush the teeth of a subject, and the toothbrush of Wagner does not brush the upper and lower teeth surface at the same time.

In another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0157202 A1 to Hartel discloses a toothbrush similar to Wagner's toothbrush with a concavity containing the brushing surfaces, but also includes a fourth brushing surface and makes use of a flexible joint. Hartel also sets forth a recounting of numerous U.S. patents directed to toothbrushes. However, Hartel did not contemplate the notion that a provider would use a toothbrush to brush the teeth of a subject, and the toothbrush of Hartel does not brush the upper and lower teeth surface at the same time.

In a further example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,296 A to Noe et al. discloses a toothbrush having a head with a single brushing surface that extends parallel to the handle, and the opposite side of the brushing surface includes an alternate cleaning device for cleaning the tongue or gums. However, Noe et al. did not contemplate the notion that a provider would use a toothbrush to brush the teeth of a subject, and the toothbrush of Hartel does not brush the upper and lower teeth surface at the same time.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a toothbrush head is presented. The toothbrush head includes a first brushing portion, and a second brushing portion. A first orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one upper tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one lower tooth. A second orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one lower tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one upper tooth.

In another embodiment, a method for brushing at least one upper tooth and at least one lower tooth of a subject is presented. The method includes steps as follows: a) contacting, with a toothbrush head, an inside of at least one upper tooth concurrently with an outside of at least one lower tooth; and b) contacting, with the toothbrush head, an inside of at least one lower tooth concurrently an outside of at least one upper tooth.

In a further embodiment, a toothbrush for brushing at least one upper tooth and at least one lower tooth of a subject is presented. The toothbrush includes a toothbrush head and a handle. The toothbrush head includes a first brushing portion and a second brushing portion. A first orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one upper tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one lower tooth. A second orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one lower tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one upper tooth. The handle is operably coupled to the toothbrush head to facilitate rotation of the toothbrush head by an acute angle about an axis extending along the handle to move the toothbrush head between the first orientation and the second orientation.

The above embodiments are exemplary only. Other embodiments are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. Thus, for further understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, references can be made to the following detailed description, read in connection with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1A depicts a toothbrush, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIG. 1B depicts a side view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1A, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIG. 1C depicts a front view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1A, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIG. 1D depicts a top view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1A, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIG. 1E depicts an enlarged front view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1A, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIG. 1F depicts an enlarged top view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1A, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIG. 1G depicts an enlarged back view of the [head of the ???] toothbrush of FIG. 1A, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIGS. 2A & 2B depict a toothbrush head for brushing an upper tooth and a lower tooth of a subject in a first and second orientation, respectively, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIG. 3 depicts a method for brushing an upper tooth and a lower tooth of a subject, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIG. 4 depicts another toothbrush, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIG. 5 depicts another toothbrush, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIG. 6 depicts another toothbrush head, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIGS. 7A-7E depict another toothbrush, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIGS. 8-16 depict other toothbrush handles, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

FIGS. 17-19 depict other toothbrush heads, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to toothbrushes and toothbrush heads, and in particular, toothbrushes that overcome the limitations of conventional toothbrushes especially when used by a provider, such as a nurse or any other provider or caregiver, to brush the teeth of a subject. Advantageously, multiple tooth surfaces, including the inside, outside and biting surfaces, may be brushed at the same time. As another advantage, the teeth may be brushed without removing the toothbrush from the subject's mouth or without rotating more than 90 degrees. These features and advantages allow a provider or nurse to more readily brush the teeth of a disabled consumer, because oftentimes a disabled consumer may resist the repeated insertion and removal of a toothbrush because of the discomfort caused. Thus, the techniques of the present disclosure represent a marked improvement in the ability to care for such consumers and improve their oral hygiene.

Generally stated, provided herein, in one aspect is a toothbrush head for brushing at least one upper tooth and at least one lower tooth of a subject. For instance, the toothbrush head includes a first brushing portion, and a second brushing portion. A first orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one upper tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one lower tooth. A second orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one lower tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one upper tooth.

In one example, rotation of the toothbrush head by an acute angle about an axis extending away from the subject results in the toothbrush head moving between the first orientation and the second orientation. In another example, the toothbrush head is capable of moving between the first orientation and the second orientation without translation away from the subject. In a further example, included are a third brushing portion and a fourth brushing portion, and the first and second orientations of the toothbrush head include the third brushing portion contacting a biting surface of at least one upper tooth and the fourth brushing portion contacting a biting surface of at least one lower tooth.

In one implementation, the first brushing portion includes two brushing surfaces. In another implementation, the second brushing portion includes two brushing surfaces. In a further implementation, the two brushing surfaces comprise opposite brushing surfaces. In another implementation, the two brushing surfaces angle inward.

In another aspect, presented herein is a method for brushing an upper tooth and a lower tooth of a subject. The method includes steps as follows: a) contacting, with a toothbrush head, an inside of at least one upper tooth concurrently with an outside of at least one lower tooth; and b) contacting, with the toothbrush head, an inside of at least one lower tooth concurrently an outside of at least one upper tooth.

In one embodiment, the method further includes at least partially inserting the toothbrush head into a mouth of the subject. In such a case, the contacting steps a) and b) are performed without removing the toothbrush head from the mouth of the subject.

In another example, the contacting steps a) and b) each include contacting, with the toothbrush head, biting surfaces of at least one lower tooth and the upper tooth.

In a further aspect, a toothbrush for brushing an upper tooth and a lower tooth of a subject is presented. The toothbrush includes a toothbrush head and a handle. The toothbrush head includes a first brushing portion and a second brushing portion. A first orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one upper tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one lower tooth. A second orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one lower tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one upper tooth. The handle is operably coupled to the toothbrush head to facilitate rotation of the toothbrush head by an acute angle about an axis extending along the handle to move the toothbrush head between the first orientation and the second orientation.

In one embodiment, the toothbrush head is sized and configured such that moving between the first orientation and the second orientation may be performed without removing the toothbrush head from the mouth of the subject. In another embodiment, the toothbrush head has a dumbbell shape.

In one embodiment, FIG. 1A depicts a toothbrush 100, which includes a toothbrush head 102 and a handle 112. Toothbrush head 102 includes a first brushing portion P1, a second brushing portion P2, and a third brushing portion P3 connecting the first and second brushing portions P1, P2. The brushing portions P1, P2 and P3 form a dumbbell shape. Note that portions P1 and P2 each have a convex rounded shape at their extremities (the portions pointed to by the arrows for P1 and P2 in the figures.) The first brushing portion P1 includes two brushing surfaces S1, S2. The second brushing portion P2 includes two brushing surfaces S3, S4. The third brushing portion P3 includes two brushing surfaces S5, S6. Each of the brushing surfaces S1-S6 includes bristles 104, which are depicted as bundles of bristles with the individual bristles in each bundle not shown due to their small size. In addition, the toothbrush head 102 is oriented along line L1-L1 that passes through the brushing portions P1, P2 and P3.

Notably, brushing surfaces S1 and brushing surface S2 of first brushing portion P1 are angled inward. Similarly, brushing surface S3 and brushing surface S4 of second brushing portion P2 are also angled inward. The handle 112 of the toothbrush 100 includes grip portions 112A, 112B for use by a provider or nurse.

The toothbrush handle 112 and head 102 portions may be made using any thermoplastic material, such as moldable plastics including polypropylene, polyethylene, or the like, using any conventional molding technology. The toothbrush 100 may be molded in a single piece or multiple piece, and the molding process may also be used to form holes for the bristles, grip surfaces, etc. The bristles 104 may be made using nylon or any suitable material, which may be attached, e.g., to the holes imprinted in the toothbrush head during the molding process. Such attachment may be achieved by folding a bundle of bristles in half and inserting into the holes, and may be held in place through compressive forces in the holes or any other attachment means. Rows and columns of the bristles 104 are depicted in FIG. 1A. The different brushing surfaces can have any number of rows and columns of holes (e.g., 12×10), and each hole can have any number of bristles (e.g., 40-50 bristles per hole).

FIG. 1B depicts a side view of the toothbrush 100. As readily visible in the view of FIG. 1A, the handle 112 also includes two longitudinal portions 106 and 110 that are offset from one another by a connecting portion 108. The offset longitudinal portion 106 prevents the toothbrush handle 112 from blocking the provider's view of the subject's mouth during brushing. FIG. 1C depicts a front view of the toothbrush 100. FIG. 1D depicts a top view of the toothbrush 100. FIG. 1E depicts an enlarged front view of the toothbrush 100. FIG. 1F depicts an enlarged top view of the toothbrush 100. FIG. 1G depicts an enlarged back view of the toothbrush 100.

FIG. 2A depicts a toothbrush head 102 contacting or brushing an upper tooth 201 and a lower tooth 202 of a subject in a first orientation T1. FIG. 2B depicts the toothbrush head 102 contacting or brushing the upper tooth 201 and the lower tooth 202 of the subject in a second orientation T2.

As depicted in FIG. 2A, the first orientation T1 of the toothbrush head includes the brushing portion S3 contacting an inside of the upper tooth 201 and the brushing portion S2 contacting an outside of the lower tooth 202, at the same time.

As depicted in FIG. 2B, the second orientation T2 of the toothbrush head includes the brushing portion S3 contacting an inside of the lower tooth 202 and the brushing portion S2 contacting an outside of the upper tooth 201.

Second orientation T2 is achieved by rotating the toothbrush head 112 by an acute angle a about the axis H, which is the axis of the handle, without translating the handle 112. Advantageously, such a configuration allows for moving between the first orientation T1 and the second orientation T2 without translation of the toothbrush head 112 away from the subject.

FIG. 3 depicts a method 300 for brushing at least one upper tooth (e.g., upper tooth 201 of FIGS. 2A&2B) and at least one lower tooth (e.g., lower tooth 202 of FIGS. 2A&2B) of a subject. For instance, at step 310 a provider at least partially inserts the toothbrush (e.g., toothbrush 100 of FIGS. 2A&2B) into a mouth of the subject. Next, at step 320, the provider contacts, with the toothbrush head (e.g., toothbrush head 112 of FIGS. 2A&2B), an inside of at least one upper tooth 201 concurrently with an outside of at least one lower tooth 202. Next, at step 330, the provider rotates the toothbrush 112 by an acute angle (e.g., angle a of FIGS. 2A&2B), without removing the toothbrush head 112 from the mouth of the subject. Next, at step 340, the provider contacts, with the toothbrush head 112, an inside of at least one lower tooth 202 concurrently with an outside of at least one upper tooth 201. The steps 320-340 may then be repeated as necessary while moving the brush sideways, to brush all of the teeth of the subject without having to remove the toothbrush head from the subject's mouth.

The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 4-19 may be mixed and matched with the embodiment of FIG. 1A, in order to make a toothbrush and toothbrush head with a desired handle and head combination to achieve one or more of the goals of brushing multiple tooth surfaces at the same time, minimizing the number of insertions and removals of the toothbrush, etc. For example, tradeoffs may be made between the number and size of brush heads in order to balance the cost of the toothbrush with the speed at which a subject's teeth may be brushed.

FIG. 4 depicts another toothbrush 400, having a handle 412 and a toothbrush head 402. The toothbrush head 402, which is depicted with the bristles not shown. The toothbrush 500 differs from the toothbrush 100 (FIG. 1A) by the orientation of the dumbbell shaped head. As depicted in FIG. 4, toothbrush head 402 is oriented along line L4-L4 that passes through the brushing portions, instead of along orthogonal line L1-L1 like toothbrush head 102. In other embodiments, the toothbrush head may be oriented at any angle. Advantageously, this allows the provider's hand to be at a different angle with respect to the head allowing the provider to orient themselves differently relative to the subject (i.e. stand beside the subject rather than in front of them).

FIG. 5 depicts another toothbrush 500, with a toothbrush head 502 having brushing portions 51 and 52. Notably, brushing portions 51 and 52 each have a flat shape at their extremities, unlike the convex rounded shape of brushing portions P1, P2 of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 6 depicts another toothbrush head 602 having brushing portions 61 and 62. Notably, brushing portions 61 and 62 each have a concave shape at their extremities, unlike the convex rounded shape of brushing portions P1, P2 of FIG. 1A. The concave shapes of brushing portions 61 and 62 allow for brushing surfaces S1-S6, which would be provided with bristles. The surfaces S7-S10, in the primary embodiment of FIG. 6, would not have bristles. However, in a secondary embodiment of FIG. 6, even surfaces S7-S10 could include bristles.

FIGS. 7A-7E depict another toothbrush 700. The toothbrush 700 has a hook handle 712 instead of the two-part grip handle 112 of FIG. 1A. In addition, the toothbrush 700 has a toothbrush head 702, in which the two brushing surfaces comprise opposite brushing surfaces. For example, as depicted in FIG. 7E, brushing surface 711 is opposite brushing surface 713, brushing surface 712 is opposite brushing surface 714, and brushing surface 715 is opposite brushing surface 716.

FIGS. 8-16 depict other toothbrush handles, which may be mixed and matched with any of the toothbrush heads described herein. The characteristics of these are now described. FIG. 8 depicts a hooked toothbrush handle 800 having a bottom portion 801, middle portion 802 and top portion 803. The toothbrush handle 800 may be gripped by any of the portions as needed so that the provider can approach the subject's mouth at a variety of angles. FIG. 9 depicts a bayonet toothbrush handle 900 which allows the provider to see the head of the toothbrush while gripping the handle of the toothbrush . The bayonet handle 900 does not have an additional grip portion, and thus can be produced at a lower cost than the handle of FIG. 1A. FIG. 10 depicts a 90 degree curved down toothbrush handle 1000 which may be held in an upright first grip, allowing visualization and better maneuverability and again may allow for a lower cost production relative to more elaborate handles, which is especially useful for disposable toothbrushes. FIG. 11 depicts a curved to the side toothbrush handle 1100 in which the handle curves sideways to allow a different angle of approach of the toothbrush head to the subject's mouth. FIG. 12 depicts a ball grip toothbrush handle 1200 which may be more comfortable to use by a provider and allow gripping at multiple angles relative to the head of the toothbrush. FIG. 13 depicts a ring grip toothbrush handle 1300 which allows gripping at multiple angles relative to the head of the toothbrush and is easy to grip for a provider with limited coordination or dexterity. The ring handle also provides a large surface area for both the provider and subject to handle the toothbrush simultaneously, for example “hand on hand” brushing. FIG. 14 depicts a plier type toothbrush handle 1400 similar to the handle of FIG. 1A. FIG. 15 depicts a plier type toothbrush handle 1500 with a thumb grip 1501 to reduce fatigue of the provider and improve fine control of the toothbrush. FIG. 16 depicts a pistol grip toothbrush handle 1600 which may also be more ergonomically pleasing to the provider.

FIGS. 17-19 depict other toothbrush heads, which may be mixed and matched with any of the toothbrush handles described herein. The characteristics of these are now described. FIG. 17 depicts a toothbrush head 1700 with at least two brushing portions each having inwardly facing brushing surfaces with the bristles pointing inward. FIG. 18 depicts a toothbrush head 1800 having a round dumbbell shape, in which each of the brushing portions has a curved surface (such as a spherical surface) with bristles emerging normal to the curved surface, allowing for the bristles to be angled in such a way as to reach different tooth surfaces during brushing and rotation of the toothbrush head. FIG. 19 depicts a toothbrush head 1900 having convex portions, with the brushing surfaces being curved surfaces pointing inward to the toothbrush.

To the extent that the claims recite the phrase “at least one of” in reference to a plurality of elements, this is intended to mean at least one or more of the listed elements, and is not limited to at least one of each element. For example, “at least one of an element A, element B, and element C,” is intended to indicate element A alone, or element B alone, or element C alone, or any combination thereof. “At least one of element A, element B, and element C” is not intended to be limited to at least one of an element A, at least one of an element B, and at least one of an element C.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toothbrush head for brushing an upper tooth and a lower tooth of a subject, the toothbrush head comprising: a first brushing portion; and a second brushing portion, wherein a first orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one upper tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one lower tooth, and a second orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one lower tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one upper tooth.
 2. The toothbrush head of claim 1, wherein rotation of the toothbrush head by an acute angle about an axis extending away from the subject results in the toothbrush head moving between the first orientation and the second orientation.
 3. The toothbrush head of claim 1, wherein the toothbrush head is capable of moving between the first orientation and the second orientation without translation away from the subject.
 4. The toothbrush head of claim 1, further comprising a third brushing portion and a fourth brushing portion, wherein the first and second orientations of the toothbrush head include the third brushing portion contacting a biting surface of the upper tooth and the fourth brushing portion contacting a biting surface of the lower tooth.
 5. The toothbrush head of claim 1, wherein the first brushing portion comprises two brushing surfaces.
 6. The toothbrush head of claim 5, wherein the second brushing portion comprises two brushing surfaces.
 7. The toothbrush head of claim 5, wherein the two brushing surfaces comprise opposite brushing surfaces.
 8. The toothbrush head of claim 5, wherein the two brushing surfaces angle inward.
 9. A method for brushing at least one upper tooth and at least one lower tooth of a subject, the method comprising the steps of: a) contacting, with a toothbrush head, an inside of the upper tooth concurrently with an outside of at least one lower tooth; and b) contacting, with the toothbrush head, an inside of at least one lower tooth concurrently an outside of at least one upper tooth.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising at least partially inserting the toothbrush head into a mouth of the subject, wherein the contacting steps a) and b) are performed without removing the toothbrush head from the mouth of the subject.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the contacting steps a) and b) each include contacting, with the toothbrush head, biting surfaces of at least one lower tooth and at least one upper tooth.
 12. A toothbrush for brushing an upper tooth and a lower tooth of a subject, the toothbrush comprising: a toothbrush head, the toothbrush head comprising a first brushing portion and a second brushing portion, wherein a first orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one upper tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one lower tooth, and a second orientation of the toothbrush head includes the first brushing portion contacting an inside of at least one lower tooth and the second brushing portion contacting an outside of at least one upper tooth; and a handle, the handle operably coupled to the toothbrush head to facilitate rotation of the toothbrush head by an acute angle about an axis extending along the handle to move the toothbrush head between the first orientation and the second orientation.
 13. The toothbrush of claim 12, wherein the toothbrush head is capable of moving between the first orientation and the second orientation by rotating the handle but not translating the handle away from the subject.
 14. The toothbrush of claim 12, further wherein the toothbrush head is sized and configured such that moving between the first orientation and the second orientation may be performed without removing the toothbrush head from the mouth of the subject.
 15. The toothbrush of claim 12, wherein the toothbrush head comprises a third brushing portion and a fourth brushing portion, wherein the first and second orientations of the toothbrush head include the third brushing portion contacting a biting surface of at least one upper tooth and the fourth brushing portion contacting a biting surface of at least one lower tooth.
 16. The toothbrush of claim 12, wherein the toothbrush head has a dumbbell shape.
 17. The toothbrush of claim 12, wherein the first brushing portion comprises two brushing surfaces.
 18. The toothbrush of claim 15, wherein the second brushing portion comprises two brushing surfaces.
 19. The toothbrush of claim 15, wherein the two brushing surfaces comprise opposite brushing surfaces.
 20. The toothbrush of claim 15, wherein the two brushing surfaces angle inward. 